Wall Street's Charging Bull Vandalized in Earth Day Protest
New York City, Tuesday, 22 April 2025.
Extinction Rebellion activists sprayed neon green paint on Wall Street’s iconic bull, marking ‘Earth Day’ with a message ‘Greed=Death’ to criticize financial institutions on climate change.
Introduction
On April 22, 2025, the iconic Charging Bull statue on Wall Street in New York City fell victim to a brazen act of vandalism by environmental activists. The group behind the act, Extinction Rebellion, used neon green spray paint to cover the sculpture, which was further emblazoned with the message ‘Greed=Death’ [1].
Activists’ Motivations
This bold gesture by Extinction Rebellion, coinciding with the 56th annual Earth Day, highlighted growing tensions between environmental activists and financial institutions [1]. Earth Day, first observed in 1970, has long served as a day of advocacy for environmental protection. By targeting the Charging Bull, a potent symbol of financial markets, activists aimed to spotlight the perceived complicity of financial sectors in fostering climate change [1].
Protest Details
The protest was centered at Bowling Green park, near the New York Stock Exchange, a historical and economic hotbed of global financial activity. During the demonstration, a protester climbed onto the bull, attracting the intervention of law enforcement [1]. As the protest unfolded, activists articulated their grievances online, accusing the financial elite of manipulating the economy at the expense of environmental and human futures [1].
Response and Cleanup
Following the initial act of vandalism, members of Extinction Rebellion took responsibility for cleaning the paint off the statue, signaling a symbolic gesture of accountability despite their dissent [1]. The Charging Bull, created by artist Arturo Di Modica, has been a fixture in New York City since 1989, symbolizing economic optimism and investor confidence [1].